Come in Number 10: Eric Hepburn on operating Downing Street

February 2012

Eric Hepburn ACMA, CGMA only gained CIMA membership at the end of 2011, but is already involved at the pinnacle of UK government. In this interview and video, Velocity finds out how CIMA has helped him reach the top.

Eric Hepburn’s exciting career has seen him work in both the private and public sectors, but it is little surprise that his current role as chief operating officer at 10 Downing Street, home of the UK prime minister, is the zenith. ‘Working as a public servant makes me particularly proud as it gives me the opportunity to give something back into society,’ he smiles.

The responsibility is extensive. Being the COO for 10 Downing Street, Eric explains, ‘covers the full range of corporate services (finance/HR, estates, FM, security, and ICT). I also manage the team that handles both the prime minister and deputy prime minister’s correspondence.’

We asked Eric why he chose CIMA and how it has helped him reach his current position. ‘My role at Downing Street involves managing the finances for the organisation,’ he says.

‘In common with other organisations we have to live within our financial limits, which involve professional financial management, full transparency, and being accountable for all decisions. I chose CIMA as this gave me the relevant tools and techniques’.

Exam successThe practical orientation of the CIMA syllabus helped Eric apply knowledge from his day to day job to his studies. Despite the fact, as Eric admitted, ‘each time I came out of the exam room I was convinced that I would be redoing that subject,’ he managed to pass all his exams first time. The secret, he says, was ‘excellent tuition, easy to use text books, and a lot of hard effort.’

His tips for success are, firstly, to ensure you are committed to the task: ‘taking on CIMA in a half hearted way is a recipe for disaster.’ Time management and prioritisation are also vital.

Finally, he extols the importance of a support system. ‘I was lucky to have some excellent colleagues from across government who encouraged me along the way when the going got tough, as it will inevitably do so from time to time.’

P2 was the paper Eric found most challenging and in the end he felt that the key to passing (as with most papers) was endless question practice.

Maintaining balanceManaging the balance between work, home life and study is a challenge for most CIMA students. Eric was no different, but was lucky enough to work for a supportive employer.

‘I cannot praise the civil service highly enough,’ he says. ‘They actively supported my application, sponsored me through the course, and were understanding when I needed time to revise.’

Being organised and using technology also helped enormously. As he remarks, ‘with home working systems and a Blackberry it is remarkable what can be juggled.’ Even so, ‘organising diaries was essential’ to ensure time for family and friends as well as work.

Career highlightsHowever, Downing Street isn’t the first highlight of Eric’s career. Another proud achievement comes from his time as head of business systems for what was to become the FSA. ‘My team built a system that captured and analysed trades across a wide range of UK and overseas markets, and it was this system that tracked down Nick Leeson, the rogue trader,’ he recalls.

Back at number 10, his team have organised the gradual refurbishment of the entire exterior of the building. This is, as he notes wryly, no mean feat when it includes ‘the tricky task of erecting scaffolding on the elevation across the famous front door; in full view of the ever present TV cameras!’

Heading statesideThere is doubtless more excitement to come for Eric. After five years he is leaving 10 Downing Street to take up a new post in Washington DC, US as counsellor corporate services and HM consul general at the British Embassy.

With Eric off to the US, it seemed appropriate to ask what he thought of the new chartered global management accountant qualification. ‘The idea of a globally recognised accountancy qualification is of great interest to me personally,’ he states. ‘I wish this every success.’

Given his success, it is worth closing with his succinct career advice. ‘Enjoy your job! If you get pleasure from your career then everything else will fall into place.’